found abundant evidence of the zeal and fidelity of the Clergy, generally, and particularly of those whose labours as Missionaries, have been so much blessed in the extension of the kingdom of the Redeemer. Nor was I less gratified with the many honourable testimonials afforded of the solicitude of the Laity of our Church, in the new settlements, to enjoy her ministrations, evidenced by their large contributions for the erection of churches, and the support of the Clergy. Both these objects, in, many places, are accomplished, principally by a few individuals. In every instance where new churches have been consecrated, the contributions of individuals afforded the strongest evidence of their liberality and zeal. In reference to the affairs of the Diocess, I ought to mention, with high commendation, the pious zeal of the New-York Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, constituted in aid of the "Committee for Propagating the Gospel," charged with the business of missions. But for the meritorious exertions of the members of that institution, we should have been unable to have paid the low salaries of our Missionaries. This Society has contributed for this purpose, for the past year, about 800 dollars. Eminent good has been done by the Bible and Common Prayer Book Societies. The circulation of the Prayer Book among those unacquainted with it, has almost invariably tended to soften, if not to remove prejudices, and, in many instances, to produce a warm attachment to it. In one place, a well organized and respectable Episcopal congregation subsists, where a year since there was not an Episcopal family; and many of the persons who compose it, owe either their first serious impressions, or the confirmation of their pious principles and hopes, to the perusal of the Prayer Book with which they had been unacquainted, and which was put into their hands. But while my recent visitation of the Diocess afforded me many subjects of gratification, emotions of a different nature were frequently excited. I often heard earnest calls for the JOHN HENRY HOBART. * In this Address, the names of John tary. The Annual Report being read hy Mr. Floyd Smith, the following Resolutions, presented by the Rev. Mr. Lyell, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Onderdopk, were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That this Society has heard, with much satisfaction, the very interesting Report of the Board of Managers, just read, and that the said Report be accepted. Resolved, That the Board of Managers be requested to publish their Report, the proceedings of this meeting, and any other documents of this Society, in such mode as they may deem proper. 1 Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Board of Managers for the faithful discharge of the trust assigned them. Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Ladies of Christ Church and Grace Church, whose exertions and donations are noticed in the Report. Resolved, That the suggestions in the Report, relative to the organization of Auxiliary Societies in the different Parishes in this Diocess, meets with the warm approbation of the meeting, who hereby express their earnest wish that such Societies may be generally established, and that the Board of Managers be requested to adopt measures to carry the same into effect. Resolved, That this Society earnestly solicit the increased patronage of the friends of religion and the Church, THE Board of Directors of the "New-York Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society" gratefully acknowledge, that it is by the merciful Providence of Almighty God they are again permitted to assemble with their Brethren of the Society, for the purpose of presenting their SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. From the limited and simple operations of the Society our Annual Report will comprise little else than the notice of a few prominent facts, accompanied by such reflections and remarks as seem naturally to arise out of their consideration. During the past year nearly nine hundred dollars have been received into the Treasury, and the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars has been paid to the Bishop and Committee, who, by the Canons of the Church, have the management of Missionary concerns. The current expenses of the year have amounted to forty dollars and sixty-one cents, leaving a balance in the Treasury of one hundred and sixty-seven dollars and seventeen cents. The sum of about two hundred dollars, in annual subscriptions, remains to be collected, for which purpose a suitable collector has been appointed. It is with feelings of gratitude and pleasure we record the facts, that upwards of one hundred dollars were procured and added to the funds by the assiduous and pious efforts of a female member of GRACE CHURCH; and that a donation of fifty dollars has been made by an association of Ladies, members of CHRIST CHURCH in this city, being a large proportion of an unappropriated balance of funds raised during the last winter for the laudable purpose of administering relief to the necessitous and destitute: and as a further evidence of the high importance they attach to the duty of also administering relief to the necessities of those who are spiritually destitute, they have added an article to their constitution, providing, that the balance that may remain in their Treasury at the close of each inclement season, shall be paid over to the Treasurer of this Society, for its use and benefit. It is devoutly to be hoped that such generous and efficient, but unostentatious examples of pious care for the best good of our perishing fellow men, will be extensively followed, and bountifully rewarded. The valuable service that has been rendered by a few meritorious females, has suggested the idea of forming parochial female as well as male Missionary Associations, auxiliary to this Society, in the several parishes of this Diocess. It is believed that associations of this kind, conducted with energy and spirit, would be emiMently successful in the augmentation of the general Missionary Fund. This plan is suggested in the ardent hope that the ladies of the respective parishes in this city, and generally throughout the Diocess, will give the subject that deliberate consideration which the high importance of the objects to be attained so seriously demand. A variety of causes, such as removal from town, removal by death, occasional erasures of names from the subscription list, &c. have operated to diminish the number of our Annual Subscribers. This was to be expected: zeal, however warm at first, will become cold, unless cherished and sustained by an habitual recollec tion of the necessity of its exercise. The Board feel gratified in being able to say, that they have paid nearly as much into the general Missionary Fund this as was paid in the last year. Four of the Missionaries employed by the Ecclesiastical authority of our Church have been aided by the funds of this Society. The terms in which our services have been acknowledged by that authority, strongly evince the value of this institution, and afford additional motives for perseverance in the good work which we have begun. The Address of the Right Rev. Bishop of this Diocess to the last Annual Convention, together with the Reports of the Missionaries generally, as they appear in the Journals of that Body, furnish a most interesting and decisive evidence of their zeal and fidelity in the discharge of their sacred and arduous duties, and that the dew of God's blessing has descended upon their labours in a pre-eminent degree. Here, perhaps, it may not be improper for the Board of Direc tors to express the concern they feel at beholding the apathy and indifference manifested by too many of their Episcopal Brethren, in relation to the interests of this association. Our Bible and Prayer Book Associations have deservedly received a munificent share of Episcopal patronage; but it is feared that too many make that patronage an excuse for not contributing to the funds of a Society confessedly of the highest importance in the present rapidly increasing state of our Church. It is fair to presume that our Episcopal Brethren are not generally acquainted with the very important fact, that it has been, in many cases, deemed inexpedient to organize new congregations, notwithstanding the earnest wishes of a large body of respectable citizens in the northren and western parts of this Diocess, who are extremely solicitous for the permanent establishment of the worship and ordinances of the Church among them, because of the entire inadequacy of the Missionary Fund to support an additional number of Missionaries. Here, then, Brethren of the Epis copal Church, is a powerful, an af whose heart has been warmed and expanded by the renovating influence of the Holy Spirit, and who hopes to join in the praises of the Church Triumphant, that nothing but absolute inability can absolve him from the obvious duty of administering relief to the spiritual wants of those who so earnestly desire to be partakers in the same glorious and animating hope. Let it be remembered, that to plead the entire occupancy of our time and attention by the engagements of business or pleasure, as an excuse for the neglect of a duty so imperious, will not avail us in the great and terrible day of retribution, when called upon by our Saviour and Judge to render an account of our stewardship. fecting, and, we hope, an irresistable appeal to your pious liberality-your amiable, benevolent, and Christian feelings. Living as you do in, the plenitude of both temporal and spiritual blessings-enjoying, as you do, the comfort and happiness to be derived from a regular and devout attendance upon the services and ordinances of the Church, can you refuse to manifest your gratitude to the Author and Dispenser of these inestimable privileges and blessings, by turning a deaf ear to the earnest and affecting entreaties for help of your scattered and destitute brethren? Can you refuse to display one of the distinguishing virtues of the Christian, "Love to the Brethren," and of the sincerity of your faith in the merits of the Saviour of the world, and the purity of your moral and philanthropic feelings, by an unfeeling, unpitying answer? Brethren, we hope better things of you. We would not question your pietyyour liberality-your active benevolence; we have too often witnessed their display and their salutary effects, to doubt, for a moment, that an appeal so imperious in its nature, so important to the best interests of our Church, and the happiness of our fellow Episcopalians, will be promptly and munificiently answered. That you will aid the funds of this Society by your contributions-your personal influence and efforts. Let none say that their exertions in particular are unnecessary-that there are others whose efforts will be more efficient, and whose personal influence can be more successfully exerted. This frigid and indifferent language-this apathy of feeling this willingness to transfer to others the performance of duties that appropriately belong to each and every individual, are fearful indications of the declension of piety in the soul, are unworthy of the Christian name and character, and will ultimately destroy the energy and usefulness of every institution essentially dependent for its success upon united, active, and persevering individual exertion. Let it then be remembered by every person in our communion, Brethren of the Society, in surrendering into your hands the important trust which you committed to our care, we would invite you to join with us in offering the homage of our gratitude to him whose cause we have served, for that measure of success that has crowned our efforts during the past year. We would implore his blessing upon you for your "work of faith, and labour of love;" and would earnestly entreat you not to remit your exertions, to extend the usefulness of the institution to which you belong. All of which is respectfully submitFLOYD SMITH, Corresponding Secretary. ted. Considerations on the Life and Death of St. John the Baptist. BY BISHOP HORNE. (Continued from page 335.) Considerations on the Hymn of AMONG the alterations in nature which notify the return of spring, no one is more pleasing, than the exchange of a long and melancholy silence, for that melody which then resoundeth on every side of us in the woods and fields. Solomon hath not forgotten this circumstance, in his short but lovely description of that delightful season: "Lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." The advent of Messiah was announced, in a similar manner, to the church; and we may say of it, in the words of the Roman poet, which, like those of Caiaphas, contained much more than he was aware of who uttered them, Aspice, venturo latentur ut omnia sæclo! For now, the blessed virgin "magnifieth the Lord, and her spirit rejoiceth in God her Saviour:" the father of the Baptist "blesseth the Lord God of Israel, for having visited and redeemed his people :" the angels themselves descend in full choir, to perform an anthem in honour of their Lord and ours: and old Simeon closeth all with his affecting farewell to the world: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Thus did all "break forth into joy, and sing together, because the Lord had comforted his people, and redeemed Jerusalem;" because the Sun of Righteousness, by his visitation of the earth, was putting a period to a dreary winter, and introducing, in its stead, a new and more glorious spring. And as spring is the morning of the year, Cowley's address to the material light, which is but a faint copy, may be applied to the great original himself: When thou lift'st up thy radiant head Out of the morning's purple bed, The choir of birds about thee play, And all the joyful world salutes the rising day. The hymn which we are at present to consider, is that of Zacharias. The occasion on which it was indited, was the birth of St. John: the subject is the covenant of grace in Christ Jesus: the language is that of the Old Testa ment, old terms being transferred to new things: the speaker is a priest and a prophet, "full of the Holy Ghost." During a tedious interval of silence, Zacharias had beheld the accomplish ment of the divine promise to himself; and he knew, likewise, that the Cant. ii. 11. Saviour of mankind would soon be born of his relation, the virgin Mary. We may judge, therefore, what pain and grief he felt, while restrained from uttering that "good matter” of which his heart was so full, that when at length God saw fit to remove the mound, it burst forth at once in an impetuous and irresistible torrent of thanksgiving; 1. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.* It was no new thing for "the God of Israel" to "visit and redeem his people." He had often done it when they were in affliction and captivity. But so to visit and redeem, was not all that he intended to do for his chosen. Through things temporal he was desirous that they should look at things eternal, and carry on their views from a bodily to a spiritual redemption, in which all his counsels terminated; a redemption to be effected by his visiting mankind, dwelling among them in a tabernacle of flesh, and in that tabernacle offering up the true propitiatory sacrifice; a redemption that should extend to Gentles as well as Jews, and of both make one people, a new Israel, of which he should be the Lord God for evermore. How gracious this visitation! How astonishing this redemption! "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people." 2. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. In the Old Testament, we read continually of saviours and deliverers "raised up" by God, to rescue his people, from time to time, out of the hands of their oppressors. But of them we may say, as the apostle does of the Levitical priests, "They were not suffered to continue, by reason of death." And, therefore, we may argue in one case, as he doth in the other, that no one of them could be the true Saviour of Israel, the subject of the promises. Neither *Luke i. 68, &c. † Heb. vii. 23. |